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I suppose I should probably start this blog with a little backstory. I had a good-sized Imperial Guard force that I posted about regularly a few years back, but ultimately the project became so overwhelming from a painting standpoint that I had to put it on hiatus... it's been hard to keep up with my hobbies and my undergraduate studies at the same time. I'd all but forgotten about Warhammer when I stumbled upon a GW store while traveling in Stockholm. I've since decided to get back into the hobby, and issued myself a challenge: have a Dark Angels army completely assembled, painted and based before I return home to the States at the end of the month. The Dark Vengeance box got me off to a good start, and now I've added some veterans and tactical marines to the mix. Here's the planned list, for which I've already bought all the models:

http://cmdctr.net/print-roster/?id=10195&print=1

I don't know that this list is exceedingly competitive, and I fully admit to padding my point value by loading my troops down with expensive wargear. However, much of this wargear can be upgraded or downgraded without making any changes to the models. The Veteran's weapons don't have to be considered power weapons, depending on how I paint them. The Librarian's cloak doesn't have to be the Shroud of Heroes, and the meltabombs aren't even modeled on... let's say the Veterans are hiding them under their robes. With all that in mind, I could easily make a second list if I wanted to scale down to 1000 or 750 points... as of now I have no idea what point values my opponents will want to play.

As of now I have two squads to assemble, almost everything left to paint, and a whole chapter's worth of fluff to develop as I go. It's going to be a real adventure. Won't you join me?




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Tactical Squad Vasa is the first to be finished! Assembled, painted and based in a total of 12 hours.



More detailed shots of the individual models can be found on the Gallery page. Also, I couldn't pass up the chance to do a humorous conversion on one of my Vets. "Please not the face!"

Even as this thread sinks to the bottom of the P&M forum, progress continues to be made! Just finished putting together my five-man Veteran squad. Predominantly kitted out for close combat and short-range fire support, they can double as a perfect command squad for my Librarian.



Next I'll be painting up Librarian Turmiel from the Dark Vengeance box.

I don't know much about marines, but they look good so far!

Oh, it's a very new thread isn't it.
Don't worry about a seeming lack of people commenting, it happens at the start of a blog (I felt like I was mostly talking to myself for the first few pages of my blog).

Keep updating regularly and the lurkers will start commenting.

As for comments;
Looks like a fairly solid colour scheme. I quite like the golden backpack vent things.

Photos could do with having better lighting, it's a little tricky to pick out details, good or bad.
Group shots are ok, but close-ups of individuals will get more comments for anything specific.

I don't have much experience with marines really, they still all look mostly the same to me, so I can't really comment on the poses other than to say that they look pretty natural (which is a good start).

So, keep at it, give your readers something to get their teeth into, and the comments will come (in time, be patient).
I shall be watching...

Yes, listen to the doctor's orders

The P&M section is full of talent. You can mine it all you want, and people are usually helpful and easy-going.

Much appreciated! I'm almost done with my Librarian now. Some character-standard painting should help get the ball rolling a little. Just have to highlight three more colors, then I'll set up a rudimentary lightbox for photos.


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Okay, the Librarian's all done! This is my first attempt at character-level detail since my Guard army several years ago. Basecoats, then heavy washes, then more of the base color, then lighter highlights. It's all pretty standard stuff, yet it's all new to me! How'd I do? Did I at the very least reach a convincing tabletop standard? C&C very much appreciated. Also, I do apologize for the shoddy photography; I'll be travelling between hotel rooms and countries until mid-August, so anything I do is going to be somewhat jury-rigged!







http://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/516855-Librarian%20Turmiel%2C%20Head-On.html?m=2

Try to use a white piece of appear as a photo back drop when you take your pictures, it will destroy the color scheme less.

It's a little tricky to tell from the photos, but it looks ok. The sword looks nice.

The cloak is good for an ancient look, although it is a bit shiny so could do with a matt varnish.

I would also say the highlights could do with being lighter and sharper, but that's a taste thing and may be partially the photos...

If this is all new to you, then it's a good start.

not bad man, the libby looks done well again like dr h said it could be the lighting along with the white paper try and take pics with day light if able that would help out alot too.

the "not the face" marine is quite funny good to have a bit of humor to the project or it gets stale fast i should know i overwhelmed my self a few times in my own blog and stopped painting cause it felt like a chore than an actual hobby or fun. so take your time and what not..

gonna keep an eye on this.

Try to position your lamp above and in-front of the miniature also for pics.